Nehemiah 2:3-6

Living Bible

³ but I replied, “Sir,^[a] why shouldn’t I be sad? For the city where my ancestors are buried is in ruins, and the gates have been burned down.”

⁴ “Well, what should be done?” the king asked.

With a quick prayer to the God of heaven, I replied, “If it please Your Majesty and if you look upon me with your royal favor, send me to Judah to rebuild the city of my fathers!”

^5-6 The king replied, with the queen sitting beside him, “How long will you be gone? When will you return?”

So it was agreed! And I set a time for my departure!